Chrysler sets new October sales record for Jeep Wrangler

Chrysler Group LLC set a new October sales record for the Jeep Wrangler and three other vehicles as overall sales increased 10 percent over last year to 114,512.

The automaker said it sold 11,310 Toledo-built Wranglers last month, up 14 percent from October, 2011. For the year, Chrysler has sold 119,787 Wranglers.

Also setting October sales records were the Jeep Patriot, the Fiat 500, the Dodge Avenger, and the Dodge Journey.

Jeep Liberty sales fell considerably last month. The automaker said it sold 4,099 of the Liberty in October, down 32 percent from the year prior. The vehicle, which was built in Toledo, has been out of production for two and a half months now, though dealers still have new vehicles on their lots. Chrysler is expected to unveil the Liberty's successor, which is unnamed but will also be built in Toledo, in the coming months.

“In spite of Hurricane Sandy, Chrysler Group posted its best October sales since 2007 and we achieved our 31st-consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth,” said Reid Bigland, Chrysler's head of U.S. sales. “Last month we also further demonstrated our disciplined approach to sales growth by posting a third-quarter 2012 operating profit of $706 million, an increase of 46 percent over third-quarter 2011.”

Ford Motor Co. said its sales were mostly unchanged from a year ago, at 168,456. The automaker said it had its best October for small-car sales in 11 years, selling 25,493 of its Focus, Fiesta, and new C-MAX Hybrid.

All major automakers are expected to report October sales today.

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